Conditon White = no good....

[schufflerbot]

since some are concerned with the extended arm portion of this incident, i'll throw my 2 cents in here...

i have been training in brazillian jiu jitsu for a while now and i'll tell you what - my FAVORITE thing to see from an opponent is an outstretched arm. if you give it to me, im going to take it.

for those who would like a nice alternative, here's some advice: create what we in the self defense realm call 'a fence.' it's a non-threatening gesture that allows you to control where an opponent/attacker/aggressor will be in relation to your body, as well as providing a solid stance to strike from if necessary. in the case of those carrying concealed, it provides enough distance and leverage with only the weak hand to allow a single handed draw if needed.

this is a great guy, Ari Bolden - he run's a forum and youtube channel called 'Submissions 101' and offers some fantastic advice on several topics. here's the video pertaining to the fence, i think he explains it perfectly...


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the idea is that if you dont have to draw and fire... dont, right? it's supposed to be the last resort and in a case like the one the OP related... it would not have been justified - IMHO.

[ELB]

Ditto on not getting in range of where he can grab you, and double ditto on not putting your arm out where he can grab it. Of course this is easy to say from the comfort of computer chair, in real time stuff happens. But to the best of your ability, keep space between you and him.

Giving him $5 or $10 or $3 dollars is a bad idea on many levels. It is not generous or helping him out, it is enabling his bad habits and encouraging his panhandling. It also tells him you do have money and are worth mugging for the rest, it occupies your hands and even more importantly your mind, when you should be keeping an eye on him AND MOVING SO THAT YOU CAN SEE BEHIND YOU in case he has a buddy or two that he is setting you up for.

If you want to extend help to the panhandlers, learn where the social/church agencies are and direct him to those -- but even then standing there and jawing with him puts you at risk. You have to balance heart and brain here.

AND...condition yellow, orange, screaming red and blue, etc are not JUST for when you carry a gun....

Having expounded all this wisdom, I think you did a pretty good job. Room for improvement, but got he job done.

[boba]

it occupies your hands and even more importantly your mind, when you should be keeping an eye on him AND MOVING SO THAT YOU CAN SEE BEHIND YOU in case he has a buddy or two that he is setting you up for.

That's one of the dangers of talking to those guys. They have a script they can rattle off in their sleep. If you're paying attention to their babble or even worse thinking how to answer their "question" that distracts you and they can exploit that.

[blackdog8200]

From down the checklist:

18. Watch their hands. Hands kill. [In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them].

19. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.

20. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.

21. Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

22. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.

23. Your best option for personal security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

http://www.bluejacket.com/humor_usmc_wisdom.html

[snatchel]

I found myself in condition white once, and have made it a personal matter to not let it happen again. Outside of a Bank Of America at the ATM a few months ago, a very big, scruffy fellow approached me from behind as I walked from ATM to my car. He actually touched my shoulder to get my attention. Safe to say I was enraged, and yelled at the guy for being an idiot and approaching folks for money, from behind, AT AN ATM machine. A week ago, I was approached by another creepy guy at a local T&C (or Stripes.. I miss T&C), but he didn't ask for money. He said, "I am belial. See me and believe." Creeeeeeepy. I just nodded and walked away. Figure if the worst that el Diablo has to do these days is hang around T&C and creep me out, he's the least of my problems :) At least I wasn't surprised by him.

[speedsix]

...I'm hard of hearing and have to swivel-head a lot more than most to keep someone from walking up on me...I don't know what color it is but I laugh at myself sometimes...must look like a bobblehead doll...

[kjolly]

Panhandlers are getting more aggressive. One of the things I enjoy in having a CHL is being more alert to everything around you. I was in a restrauant this weekend and realized I was watching everyone. Life is much more interesting.

[drjoker]

approaching folks for money, from behind, AT AN ATM machine.

He's lucky he didn't get $5 in lead "change"

[flb_78]

I never give money to panhandlers. They're not broke, most probably make more in a day than I do in a week.

I never let them get close either. Once they start their sob story, I stare them down and loudly say "NO" and keep moving.

[speedsix]

I never give money to panhandlers. They're not broke, most probably make more in a day than I do in a week.

I never let them get close either. Once they start their sob story, I stare them down and loudly say "NO" and keep moving.

...that stare oughta stop a train!!!

[schufflerbot]

I never give money to panhandlers. They're not broke, most probably make more in a day than I do in a week.

I never let them get close either. Once they start their sob story, I stare them down and loudly say "NO" and keep moving.

...that stare oughta stop a train!!!

RIGHT?!

i was going to ask for $10 until i saw that avatar. LOL

[ixmerlinxi]

panhandlers are everywhere these days, i work in the 2am hours of the day and hate it when they are hanging around the gas station its just you and them, i learned to be loud and clear when telling them to buzz off. they tend to get all apologetic and go on down the road.